The justice of the Democratic Republic of Congo rendered a surprising decision on Tuesday August 22 by acquitting Fortunat Biselele, former private adviser to Félix Tshisekedi. This acquittal was confirmed by his lawyer, Jean-Claude Mulingenya, who cited the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Kinshasa – Gombe.
Fortunat Biselele, formerly President Tshisekedi’s right-hand man, was being prosecuted on serious charges, including treason, undermining state security and spreading false rumors. He had been arrested in January 2023 and detained in Kinshasa’s central prison, but had been provisionally released in July of the same year. This release followed the publication on social networks of compromising videos concerning him, where he appeared in the company of several women.
This publication of the private videos has raised suspicions about the involvement of the security services in this affair. These images were published in the context of political rivalries within President Tshisekedi’s inner circle. Indeed, many advisers, ministers and members of the President’s inner circle seem to be competing for influence in Kinshasa.
Fortunat Biselele was reputed to be close and influential with President Tshisekedi, which fueled suspicions about his supposed complicity with Rwanda, a neighboring country which supports the terrorist group Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). Furthermore, he was accused of holding a valid Rwandan passport and having a large sum of cash in one of his residences in Kinshasa.
However, with this acquittal decision, Congolese justice is questioning the charges against Fortunat Biselele. This raises questions as to the true nature of this case and the motivations behind his arrest. The acquittal of this former adviser to President Tshisekedi therefore adds a new layer of mystery to the already complex Congolese politics.
It now remains to be seen what repercussions this decision will have on the political balance in the DRC, as well as on relations between the Congolese government and Rwanda. This case highlights the internal struggles for power and influence that continue to rock the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is essential to closely follow the development of this case and the reactions it will elicit in the weeks to come. The acquittal of Fortunat Biselele opens the door to many speculations and questions about the political reality behind the scenes of power in the DRC.
Sources:
– Fatshimetrie.org: [Link of the article and title](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/23/lien-vers-larticle-et-titre)
– Fatshimetrie.org: [Link of the article and title](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/23/lien-vers-larticle-et-titre)
– Fatshimetrie